Freezing-plate for ice-mach in es



(No Model.)

J. B. WOOD. PRBBZING PLATE PoR ICE MACHINES.

Patented Sept. 10, 1895.

AN DRW B.GRAHAM,PHOTO-UTHQWASHINGTUN. U C

ilnirTnn STnTns FnTnnT @Trina JOHN B. WOOD, OF DANVILLE, VIRGINIA.

FREEZlNG-PLATE FOR ICE-MACHINES..

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 546,085, dated September l0, 1895.

Application filed September 7, 1894. Serial No. 522,395. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN B. VOOD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Danville, in the county of Pittsylvania and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ice-Harvesters; and Iv do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

In the manufacture of artificial ice heretofore it has been the custom in most instances to freeze the same in large congealing-tanks, lift the large block of ice after it has frozen from the tank, and then saw longitudinal and lateral kerfs in the same preparatory to breaking it up into proper sizes for handling and disposition. This operation is attended by numerous disadvantages, among which may be named that of the great danger of splitting off large corners of the ice, which are thus wasted, the difficulty of handling such large blocks, and the attendant delay and expense of sawing the same.

My invention resides in the particular means whereby the necessary kerfs are molded or frozen into the ice, so that when the block has been frozen it is then iu condition to be broken up into the proper and predetermined sizes and may be easily and conveniently lifted from the congealing-tank without the slightest danger of splitting, this means consisting of a rectangular frame divided off into regular sections, which lits along the side of the congealing-plates and extends down into the tank, the said frame being further provided with means for elevating the same and for attaching it to the congealing-plate.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l represents a plan view of a congealing-tank of known construction with the top removed, showing my invention applied thereto and the upper side of one of the frames cut away. Fig. 2 is a section on the line as of Fig. 1 with parts broken away. Fig. 3 is a section on the line y y of Fig. l; and Fig. 4 is a perspective View of one of the rectangular frames, partly broken away.

Like reference-numerals indicate like parts in the different views.

1 represents the freezing-tank, which may be of any size or form of construction; 2, the congealing-plate; 3, the freezingcoils passing between the sides of the plate 2, and 4 4 pins or hooks secured to the sides of the tank l.

5 represents the sides of the frames divided off into sections by the partitions 6 6. These frames are of a size to fit along one side of the congealing-plate 2. The sides and partitions are tapered off in width from their back to their front side, as shown in Figs. l and 3, for a purpose which will appear hereinafter. The partitions G divide the frame up into sections of the size to which the block of ice is desired to be cut. On the rear of the frame 5 are provided catches or clamps '7 7 for the ready attachment of the frame to the congealing-plate 2, as clearly shown. Attached to the lower side of the frame 5 are two chains 8 8,which pass around beneath the bottom of said frame and are adapted to have their free ends attached to a ring or eyebolt 9 on the upper side of the said frame.

In using my device the tank lis filled with water and the frame 5 is placed therein against the congealing-plate 2 and clamped thereto by the clamps 7 7. The chains-8 are now detached at their upper ends and are allowed to rest loosely along the bottom of said tank,

4theirdetaehed ends being held along the sides of the tank l by attaching them to the pins or hooks 4. l/Vhen the freezing operation has continued long enough to freeze the water almost out to the sides of the tank, the chains are detached from the hooks 4 and attached to the eyebolt 9 ou the upper side of the frame 5. The block of ice thus formed is elevated and lifted 4out of the congealing-tank by the application of power to the upper part of the chains 8 8. The block of ice is then 'turned on one side with the frame 5 resting on top of it.. The frame, by reason of the tapered edges of its sides and the partitions tlherein` is very easily removed, leaving the block of ice with the longitudinal and lateral grooves therein made by the said partitions. The ice is now ready to be broken up into pieces, which can be done in the usual way by simply striking it a slight blow, the grooves IOO therein guiding the splitting. It will be observed that in lifting the ice from the congealing-tank there is no strain Whatever on the frame 5, the same being taken up by the chains 8 8, which surround the ice frozen Within the loop thereof.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new is- 1. The combination With the congealing plate of an ice freezing tank, of a removable frame provided With longitudinal and lateral partitions and adapted to be placed upon the freezing surface of said plate so that kerfs are molded in the ice as it is frozen, substantially as described.

2. The combination with the congealing plate of an ice-freezing tank, of a removable frame provided with partitions having tapering sides, for molding kerfs into the ice as it is frozen, and clamps for securing said frame to said plate, substantially as and for the purposes described.

3. The combination With the congealingr plate of an ice-freezing tank, of a removable frame provided With partitions having tapering sides, for molding kerfs into the ice as it is frozen, clamps for securing said frame to said plate, and chains attached to the lower part of said frame, their free ends passing down around the bottom thereof and in turn attached to the upper part of said frame, substantially as and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JOHN B. WOOD.

Vitnesses:

R. F. AEREL, W. W. AYRES. 

